Automatic eyelids eyeball fixing device for a surgical intervention



Aug. 5, 1958 G. J. JAYLE 2,845,925

AUTOMATIC EYELIDS EYEBALL. FIXING DEVICE FOR A SURGICAL INTERVENTION Filed Sept 9, 1954 IN V EN TOR GAETAN J. JAYLE BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,845,925 AUTOMATIC EYELIDS EYEBALL FIXING DEVICE FOR A SURGICAL INTERVENTION Gaetan Jean Jayle, Marseille, France Application September 9, 1954, Serial No. 455,055 Claims priority, application France November 24, 1953 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-20) This invention relates to apparatus for use in surgery applied to the eye.

The object of the invention is to provide a particularly simple device which is flexible so as to permit fitting to the difierently shaped features of patients, and which serves to retain both the eyeball and the eyelids in a desired position for surgery with a minimum of interference with the available operating space.

According to the present invention a device for securing the eyelids and the eyeball of a patient in position during surgery comprises an encircling frame of flexible sheet material to lie on and adapt itself to the contours of the patients face surrounding the eye, a plurality of thread-securing means spaced at intervals on the frame, and a plurality of threads for coupling between the upper and lower eyelids and the thread-securing means on adjacent portions of the frame, whereby the frame may be retained in position with respect to the eye by the opposed tensions in the threads attached to the upper and lower eyelids.

An embodiment in accordance with the invention is hereinafter particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Fig. 1 is an elevation of the device as applied to, and serving to secure in position, an eyeball and eyelids; Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical section through the device, eyeball and eyelids.

In these figures, a frame 1, made of flexible material, has four members 2, 3, 4 and 5 arranged as a rectangle. On the frame members are provided raised tags 6, 7, 8, 9, which serve as a simple and effective means for releasably securing the ends of threads 11, 12 inserted respectively through the upper eyelid 13 and the lower eyelid 14. The eyeball 15 likewise has a thread passed through it and the two ends of the thread are engaged with partially punched-out tags on the lateral frame member 5. The ends 17, 18 of the thread 11 are pulled to a suficient tension to retain the eyelid 13 in a suitable position clear of the operating field, the ends 19, 20

of the thread 12 serving the same purpose for the lower eyelid 14. Such a device serves to retain the organs securely in position but is nevertheless flexible and substantially fiat so as to adapt itself to the face of the patient and thus project to the least possible extent into the way of the surgeon. Even where a face mask also has to be used, the present device can be applied over the mask with equal facility.

When the threads 11, 12 are being applied, their tension is adjusted so that their resultant pull itself holds the frame 1 substantially fixed with respect to the eye, whereby no auxiliary apparatus is required, and the frame is self-securing in position. 12 have been secured, a further thread can, if necessary, be applied to the eyeball (as shown) and secured to the lateral frame members 4 or 5 as required. Preferably the frame is secured on the face with any suitable adhesive.

I claim:

1. A device for securing the eyelids and the eyeball of 'a patient in position during surgery, comprising an encircling frame of flexible sheet material to lie on and adapt itself to the contours of the patients face surrounding the eye, a plurality of thread-securing means spaced at intervals on the frame, and a plurality of threads for coupling between the upper and lower eyelids and the thread-securing means on adjacent portions of the frame, whereby the frame may be retained in position with respect to the eye by the opposed tensions in the threads attached to the upper and lower eyelids.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is of rectangular shape and has its opening rectangular and of approximately three times the width and height of the eye-socket.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threadsecuring means consist of tags partially punched out of the flexible material of the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Surgery, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, pp. 144-5. Copy in Div. 55.

February 1951,

Once the threads 11 and 

